Cameron Gives Ground on Syria Promising Second Vote
David Cameron backed down from asking lawmakers for immediate support today for possible U.K. military strikes on Syria after the Labour opposition demanded a delay until United Nations inspectors report on the alleged use of chemical weapons.
The premier had intended to call in a House of Commons debate starting at 2:30 p.m. in London for backing for a military response to what he says is clear evidence of a chemical-weapons attack near Damascus last week by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. He pledged instead last night to hold a further vote in Parliament before any action is taken.
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Protesters block Whitehall outside Downing Street in London to campaign against international military intervention in the ongoing Syrian conflict, August 28, 2013. Photographer: Oli Scarff/Getty Images
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Aug. 28 (Bloomberg) — Andrew Green, a former U.K. ambassador to Syria and Saudi Arabia, talks about the prospects for military srikes on Syria by the U.S. and its allies. He speaks with Betty Liu on Bloomberg Television’s “In the Loop.” (Source: Bloomberg)
The debate is scheduled to last nearly eight hours before a vote after 10 p.m. in London. The government announced its change of heart 90 minutes after the opposition Labour Party tabled an amendment opposing any U.K. military action before the inspectors, who are now on the ground in Syria, make their report. Some in the governing Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties are wary of supporting attacks, raising the prospect that Cameron might have been defeated.
“We are ensuring the House of Commons has the final say before any direct British involvement — one vote tomorrow, and another one if and when we are asked to participate directly,” Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said in an e-mail to members of his Liberal Democrat party last night. “Any case for international action must be taken to the UN in an effort to achieve as great an international consensus as possible.”
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